When James Apiyo (not his real name) was admitted to Sekou Toure Hospital in Mwanza city last year, his family and relatives said they could not raise $30 needed to pay for his medical bill. And unfortunately he died six months later, at the age of 65 years.

Ironically preparations for a showoff funeral started as soon as news of the death reached his family.

Within 24 hours, a total of 2.5m/- had been raised, 10 per cent of which was set aside for a modest coffin; the rest was spent on special uniforms for the burial ceremony.

At least a thousand people attended the funeral marked by much singing and dancing. ``One day the family is unable to raise 30,000/- to treat my father, and next day they can get millions for the burial ceremony this is not fair,`` complained Miriam Achieng,` the second born in the family of the late Apiyo, who lived at Kitangiri in Mwanza.

She was tormented by the fact there was little effort to save her father. ``How I wish my father was here to listen to our sentiments this tradition has to change,`` said Achieng.

Michael Masese is feeling a similar agony as he stands close to his late father`s grave at Shirati in Mara Region, as tears rolled down his lean cheeks.

Masese had just been laid to rest and the ministers who officiated at the burial were leaving.

His mother, Teresa Masese, and two younger sisters of his also stood there on that bright day under scorching sun. Three bricklayers were busy erecting a concrete slab on the grave.

Michael was agonised by the fact that few people visited his father when he was sick in the hospital; even more so as he learnt that arrangements were under way for a glorious funeral ceremony.

Within a period of two weeks, friends and relatives from different parts of the country assisted to raise 8,000,000/- for the occasion - to be spent on reception, food and beverages, decorations, transport and so on.

However, there are people justifying that kind of expenditure. Lanya Nundu (55), a resident of Mbagala Kiburugwa in Dar es Salaam, says it is the only way through which his family could prove their love to their late mother. According to some tribes in Tanzania, funerals are attractive festivities.

Campaigns to raise funds to the body of Nundus mother from Dar es Salaam to Tarime for example cost between 2m/- and 2.5m/-.

The family had to make arrangements with mortuary attendants to preserve their mother`s body for about two weeks before it was transported to the village.

In the end , a group of people and the master of ceremonies - hired from Dar es Salaam -wore uniforms labeled with his mother`s name to colour the convoy on its way to Tarime accompanying his mother`s body.

A chain of vehicles of different types with headlights on was part of the entourage that sung gospel songs along the way.

When they reached the village, Nundu said: ``Though we spent about 8m/- to organise the ceremony, every member of our extended family was finally happy.

We had to organise for a burial ceremony that could show the kind of care and love we had for our mother.``

Neema Mathius, a resident of Kimara in Dar es Salaam, recalls a similar experience about a neighbouring family.
For three years they spent 3m/- to treat a diabetic mother. But after her death, they hosted a grand memorial gathering that cost more than 18m/-.

``It`s ridiculous to spend that much money on burial and funeral arrangement,`` commented Neema.

Of late funeral service companies have emerged in the country, like Corona Funeral and Funeral Parlour in Dar es Salaam, that are involved in the business of burials and funerals, charging various amounts of money for the service.

A coffin dealer who operates in the premises of the Muhimbili National Hospital Juma Kimbunga said coffins may cost from 120,000/- and 800,000/-, depending on the quality, value of timber used, the size of the coffin and the detail of decoration and the demand of the customer. Some are said to have been sold for to 900,000/-.